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The Institut de mecanique celeste et de calcul des ephemerides provides and publishes ephemerides
of solar system bodies. It serves as the official and public source of ephemerides devoted to regulate calendars.

It performs theoretical research activities in the fields of celestial mechanics, planetology and mathematics. It initiates and coordinates observing campaigns
of rare and specific celestial events.

For small asteroids, the exception is the rule

Two researchers from MIT and the Paris Observatory (IMCCE) have mapped the composition of asteroids within the main asteroid belt, revealing the dynamical history of solar system formation.

Credits: IMCCE-Observatoire de Paris / CNRS / Y.Gominet

The two maps of the main belt between Mars and Jupiter made 30 years apart (1982 et 2014). The presence of the so-called « primitive » asteroids - especially C and D – at the inner edge of the belt, close to Mars, is now evident. Models of the formation and evolution of the Solar System will now have to integrate these new characteristics.

Water vapor on the surface of Ceres

After several years of debates on the possible presence of water in the
internal solar system, a research team of the ESA and Paris Observatory
(LESIA and IMCCE) reveals, thanks to the space telescope Herschel, two
geysers outgassing water vapor on dwarf-planet Ceres.

Celestial phenomena

Agenda 2015

For several years, the Observatoire de Paris and IMCCE publish this unique astronomical calendar.
Explore the sky until these distant galaxies, read about the scientific advances that have revealed the mysteries of the universe, find these men and women who have pushed the boundaries of knowledge! You will also find, this year, the latest advances in radio astronomy.